Artists: Cat People?

Hello! Today we’re taking a break from art analysis and looking at something a bit more lighthearted: cats. “What does this have to do with art?” you may ask. Well, your answer lies in the personal lives of some of your favorite artists. From Dali to Duchamp to Kahlo, many famous artists were also famous cat owners.

As a cat lover myself (The art historian likes dogs and fish, but shhhhhh), I find it interesting to see how many artists seem to love cats. My three favorite cases of these feline-loving creators are probably Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Ai Weiwei.

In the 1960s, Dali acquired a Colombian ocelot named Babou. Dali took Babou on social outings as well as his travels. I’m a fan of cats that are a bit different from the norm, so, of course, when I was reading, Babou caught my attention immediately.

Andy Warhol was known for having some eccentric tendencies and collecting certain items. Maybe we can add cats to that list. The American artist was known to have around twenty-five cats—all of whom he named Sam. That must have been confusing for friends an family.

Ai Weiwei is also known for his cats. His most famous cat, Lai Lai, can be seen in many of his photographs. What’s most interesting, however, is the fact that Ai Weiwei is known to shelter anywhere from twenty to sixty stray cats and dogs. Those animals can be seen in posts on Instagram. It must get crowded over there sometimes!

What do you think of these artists’ feline friends? Whose is your favorite? Are you cat people or dog people? Let us know in the comments.

— The Apprentice

(images in gallery were found on Pintrest and are not the property of myself or The Art Historian)